Three WMU students net $18,000
in Gilman study abroad awards Three Western Michigan University students, Sara Daniels, William Spalla and Tharyn Taylor, who are studying Japanese, Chinese or Hindi language overseas for the 2009-2010 academic year, have won a total of $18,000 in awards from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program facilitated by the Institute of International Education.
Spalla and Daniels, seniors majoring in Global and International Studies, were awarded $8,000 and $5,000 respectively. Spalla plans to study Chinese language at Beijing Language and Culture University in Beijing, China. A portion of his award—$3,000—came from the Gilman Program’s Critical Need Language fund, which promotes the study of languages the United States considers important for diplomacy. Daniels plans on studying Japanese language and Japanese studies through the WMU exchange program at Daito Bunka University in Higashi Matsuyama, Japan. (Photos and profile for each student appear at the end of this story.)
Taylor, a junior majoring in accounting, was awarded $5,000 and is currently studying business courses and the Hindi language with local Indian students enrolled in WMU’s Transnational Education Program at Christ University in Bangalore, India. Christ University and WMU have had a twinning arrangement since 1997, in which more than 250 Indian students have completed the final two years of their business degrees at WMU. Taylor is the first WMU student to study abroad at Christ University. He is also the recipient of a $1,000 award from the World Trade Association, based in Grand Rapids, in which he took first place in an essay competition for business students. Scholarship applicants completed a 300-word essay on the theme “The Importance of World Trade on the Global Economy Today.”
The Gilman Scholarship Program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go. The WMU recipients of 2009 awards were selected from a pool of nearly 2,000 applications. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Since the establishment of the Gilman Program by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000, more than 4,200 students nationwide have received this prestigious award. Eight hundred and fifty scholarships will be awarded to students participating in study abroad programs during the 2009-2010 academic year. Congressman Gilman, who retired in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives for 30 years and chairing the House Foreign Relations Committee, shared this reflection when establishing the award, “Study abroad is a special experience for every student who participates. Living and learning in a vastly different environment of another nation not only exposes our students to alternate views, but also adds an enriching social and cultural experience. It also provides our students with the opportunity to return home with a deeper understanding of their place in the world, encouraging them to be a contributor, rather than a spectator in the international community.”
Recipients of the scholarship have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of other cultures, countries, languages, and economies—making them better prepared to assume leadership roles within government and the private sector.
“International education is one of the best tools for developing mutual understanding and building connections between people from different countries,” said IIE President Allan Goodman, in the award press release. “It is critical to the success of American diplomacy and business, and the lasting ties that Americans make during their international studies are important to our country in times of conflict as well as times of peace.”
Spalla, Daniels and Taylor received advising and application support from their WMU study abroad coordinator, Gaby Peschiera-Carl, and Brett Berquist, executive director of international programs at the Haenicke Institute for Global Education. Students receiving a federal Pell Grant from two- and four-year institutions are encouraged to apply. Visit the Gilman Program Web site for application information: www.iie.org/gilman.
Student profiles
 Sara Daniels is a senior honors student majoring in Global and International Studies, with minors in French and Japanese. She is the daughter of John and Donna Daniels of Grand Rapids, Mich., and graduated from City High School. Sara received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the amount of $5,000. She plans on studying Japanese language and Japanese studies through the WMU exchange program at Daito Bunka University in Higashi Matsuyama, Japan for the 2009-2010 academic year. She hopes her time in Japan will provide inspiration for her honors thesis as well as provide her with adequate experience in order to begin a career in the field of international education upon her graduation from WMU.
 William Spalla is a senior majoring in Global and International Studies. He is the son of Larry and Janis Spalla of Ridgeway, Iowa, and graduated from South Winneshiek High School. William received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the amount of $5,000 and also received an additional $3,000 from the Gilman Program’s Critical Need Language funds. He plans on studying Chinese language at Beijing Language and Culture University in Beijing, China, for the 2009-2010 academic year. His main goal for study abroad is to gain fluency in spoken Chinese, a feat which will greatly support his future career goal to enter the Foreign Service.
 Tharyn Taylor is a junior majoring in accounting with a minor in economics. He is the son of Mark and Julie Taylor of Mason, Mich., and graduated from Mason High School. Tharyn received received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the amount of $5,000. He will take business courses with local Indian students enrolled in WMU’s Transnational Education Program at Christ University in Bangalore, India for the 2009-2010 academic year. During his year abroad, he plans on spending time with local Bangaloreans learning their customs, traditions, ideas, morals, and the Hindi language. To learn more about WMU’s study abroad offerings and scholarships, visit the study abroad Web site: www.wmich.edu/studyabroad |
